Surgical clamp



April 9, 1929. w. M. SPRIGG 1,708,432

SURGICAL CLAMP Filed Jan. 10. 1927 M Sprzigg,

g vz za/v fl Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM M. SPRIGG,

OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SURGICAL CLAMP.

Application filed January 16, 1827.

The present invention relates to surgical instruments, and more particularly to an umbilical cord clamp for use on such cord at the time of birth of an infant.

Objects of the invention are to provide a clamp for this purpose which is so constructed that it effects perfect heemasta is; which is readily susceptible to perfect sterili zation; which so constructed that the parts thereof cannot become separated; which is provided withmeans forv effecting resilient clamping pressure, thereby causing perfect dehydration of the cord; which c: mot slip when it is once fastened in position; which is so constructed that it cannot cut or lacerate the cord; which is so constructed that, it is self-stabilizin and which is symmetrically 7 constructed so t-hat it is equally effective and fully ciiicient regardless of which side is uppermost.

Other objects are to eliminate the uncertainties and possibilities of infection attendant upontying the cord without the use of a clamp; and to overcome the difiiculties heretofore experienced with clamps for this purpose.

Further objects and advantages of the in vention will appear from th following de scription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, a preferred embodiment of i the invention, but which are not to be taken as a definition of the limits thereof, refer ence being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is aperspective view' of a clamp embodying the present invention, showing the device in its closed or clamping position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the clamp in open position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing the clamping members in partly closed position just prior to being clamped together under pressure;

Fig. i is a vertical sectional'view taken on the line 4 l of F isr. 3.

The invention includes means for effecting the necessary clamping action on the umbilical cord of an infant by a cord clamp that cannot slip and will not lacerate the cord.

In the preferred form of the invention herein shown, one or both of the clamping members 9 and 10 are made of resilient material, such as high-grade spring steel, the

Serial No. 160,275.

parts bein heavily nickel-1' latcd to aid in cleaning and to facilitate sterilization.

In order to exert positive but yielding clamping pressure on the cord and to insure that the clamping faces will lie substantially flat against each other in clamping position, the hinged clamping members 9 and 10 are preferably convexly curved on their clamping faces, so that under clamping pressure their faces will have flat surface Contact. The clamping members are preferably 1novably secured together by some suitatne means such as the hinge pin 11, to which the adjacent ends of the clamping members are rotatably secured.

The opposed clamping faces are devoid of any projections which might cut orlacerate the cord and are preferably perfectly flat and smooth except for the groove hcrein after referred to.

In order to insure perfect heeinastasis, each opposed clamping face of the members 9 and 10 is provided with a groove 12, the grooves being arranged directly opposite each other so that when the clamp is closed the grooves 12 are complementary and form a closed channel, at which point the cord ,ompresscd less, so that it is impossible for the cord to slip.

The invention also provides non-detachable means for exerting clamping pressure upon the clamping members 9 and 10, together with means for stabilizing the clamp as a whole to insure that it will remain, as long as desired, in the position in which it is placed during use.

In the form of the invention herein shown, the clamping means includes a prcssure exerting member oreferably hinged at 14, or otherwise non-removably secured, to one o the clamping members 10. The pressure exert-ins member, in the preferred form of the invention herein illustrated, includes the pressure exerting portion 16, which is preferably screwthreadcd to cooperate with a clamping wing nut 17 adapted, in the closed position of the clamp, to abut against the outer face of the clamping member 9 and press it into engagementwith its cooperating clamping member 10. At the extreme outer end 18 of the threaded portion 16, the threads are pinched or the end is enlarged to prevent the wing nut from coming off the threads. In the closed position of the clamp, the threaded portion 16 is received between the outwardly curved forked ends 19 and of the clamping member 9, and the hinge pin Il, by which the pressure exerting member is pivotally mounted, permits this member to be moved it from slipping.

free and clear of the clamping member 9 until it is brought to the full line position of F 3, atter which, when the wing nut 17 is rotated, the clamping members 9 and 10 are forced into flat face-to-iace contact. The considerable curvature oi: the forked ends l9 and 2O positively prevents the clamp from being loosened until the wing nut 17 is rotated.

In the present preferred "form of the invention, the stabilizing means is formed on or a part of the pressure exerting member and is herein shown as being in the form of a smooth fiat-sided projection 22 extending from the pivot 14 in a direction opposite to that of the threaded portion 16.

This construction, the whole oi which is preferably nickehplated, forms a non-separable unit, easily cleaned, readily sterilizer,

the parts of which cannot become lost or separated.

The flat clamping faces effectively prevent any cutting ofthe umbilical cord; the stabilizing portion 22 insures that the clamp will remain in upright position; the grooves 12 insure that the clamp cannot slip; the resilience of the clamping members and their curvature insure adequate clamping pressure to effect perfect haemastasis. It will be seen that the invention is extremely simple to apply and that it is impossible to apply it upside down, owing to its symmetrical construction. The clamp cannot pull or make tractionon the cord, and the pressure exerted absolutely prevents movable, there is substantially no wear on the surfaces, so that the clamp has long life though in constant use.

' In using the clamp oi? the present invention, it is unnecessary to wait for the cord to slough oil, but the clamp, in most cases, may safely be removed after eight hours;

Various minor changes may be made in Though the parts are the construction Without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims and Without sacrificing its advantages.

What is claimed is 1. An umbilical'cord clamp including a pair 01E movably connected members, and means connected to one of said members for clamping said members together .under pressure, said means having a stabilizing project-ion extending on both sidesfro'm its connection. I

2. An umbilical cord clamp including a pair of hinged member having opposed smooth clamping surfaces, each of said surfaces having a groove, and means for clamping said surfaces together under pressure, said grooves, when said surfaces are clamped, forming opposite sides of a channel. I

3. An umbilical cord clamp including a pair of clamping members, and means for clamping said members together including a memberhaving a threaded portion extending in one direction and. a smooth un threaded stabilizing portion extending in the opposite direction.-

l. An umbilical cord clamp including a pair of clamping members, at least one of said members being resilient and having a curved smooth clamping surface, and means for clamping said members together under pressure including a hinged member having a clamping portion and a substantially oppositely extending stabilizing portion.

5. An umbilical cord clamp including a pair of resilient hinged members, each having a convex smooth clamping surface provided with a groove, and means for clamping said members together under pressure including a hinged member having a clamping portion and a substantially oppositely extending stabilizing portion, said grooves, when said members are clamped together, forming complementary portions of a closed channel.

In testimony whereof Iaiiix my signature.

WILLIAM M. SPRIGG. 

